Dean Smith (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a statement relating to the decision of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit on the appointment of the Parliamentary Budget Officer.

Leave granted.

As the committee responsible for parliamentary oversight of the Parliamentary Budget Office, the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit is required by legislation to consider the appointment of the Parliamentary Budget Officer as proposed by the Presiding Officers and to approve or reject this proposal. The committee is then required to report to both houses of the parliament on its decision.

In accordance with the Parliamentary Service Act 1999, I am pleased to inform the parliament that the committee has approved the proposal that Mr Phil Bowen be reappointed as Parliamentary Budget Officer for a further term of 12 months. This term will commence on 23 July 2016.

The role of the Parliamentary Budget Office is to inform the parliament by providing independent and nonpartisan analysis of the budget cycle, fiscal policy and the financial implications of proposals. The committee's 2014 report on the PBO commended Mr Bowen, the inaugural Parliamentary Budget Officer, for his leadership in establishing the PBO as a respected source of expert analysts in this regard. We further commend the excellent work of Mr Bowen and officials in the Parliamentary Budget Office since that 2014 report.

The committee believes that Mr Bowen's reappointment will ensure continuity of leadership for the Parliamentary Budget Office during the upcoming federal election period.